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DiversityIncMarch 12, 2008Paterson is considered a strong consensus builder, a man whose lifelong disability and status as a racial minority have made him sensitive to others' needs and a clear and empathetic communicator. Evan Wolfson, executive director of Freedom to Marry, described Paterson as a staunch ally of the LGBT community. "He's been a long-time supporter of ending discrimination in marriage and I'm confident he would also be a strong advocate in the battles to come," Wolfson says. [Link]

The EdgeMarch 6, 2008When a New York appellate court ruled that out-of-state marriages between same-sex couples were legal there, it marked a major step in the establishing of marriage equality in this country. But the victory, while certainly another step in the right direction, was maddeningly ironic: New York gays and lesbians who want to get married still can’t do so in their home state--which will, however, recognize them if done elsewhere. [Link]

New York TimesMarch 6, 2008On the way home from work in Rochester, Patricia Martinez stopped at a liquor store and bought a small bottle of Champagne to celebrate her marriage to another woman. The wedding took place in Canada nearly four years ago, but it wasn't until Feb. 1 that a New York appellate court declared it valid in the state... Last week in Manhattan, a State Supreme Court justice, ruling in a divorce proceeding, recognized the Canadian marriage of two New York City women. Advocates for marriage say the two court decisions last month granting reciprocity in New York to marriages of same-sex couples in other jurisdictions simply underline what most people would consider common sense. [Link]

The Journal NewsFebruary 24, 2008Outside the three households, an American culture war rages over the rights of gay men and women to raise children. Inside, these three have been raising theirs for as long as a decade…Evan Wolfson, executive director of Freedom to Marry, said the ruling [in NY to recognize out of state marriages by same-sex couples] will mean more to the children of gay couples than how the bills get paid. "Beyond the tangible legal consequences, there's the intangible security that matters a lot to kids," Wolfson said. "Children whose parents are married have a legal relationship to both parents and are given a strong, clear confirmation from society that they and their parents form a family and that family is worthy of respect." [Link]

New York Times February 5, 2008The Times editorial staff says a N.Y. appeals court ruling in favor of recognizing out-of-state marriages of gay and lesbian couples is "...important progress toward changing laws and attitudes that deprive gay people of equal rights and deny the dignity of New York’s many gay families. They should be able to live, marry and raise children with the same respect and the same rights as anyone else. [Link]

New York Times February 2, 2008A New York appellate court ruled Friday that valid out-of-state marriages of same-sex couples must be legally recognized in New York, just as the law recognizes those of heterosexual couples solemnized elsewhere. Lawyers for both sides said the ruling applied to all public and private employers in the state. While it is good and right that marriage should be honored, not destabilized, New Yorkers should not have to leave their home to get married. [Link] Read the decision (pdf).

Pam’s House BlendFebruary 2, 2008Well, what a great notice that came through on my listserv last night! New York Appellate Court rules that out out of state marriages must be recognized! Woo HOO! Yay for all NY couples who married in Massachusetts, or Canada - and yay for ME ! I got married in Canada last September! And we live in New York! But...wait a minute. My partner is here on a temporary visa. [Link]

Soulforce BlogJuly 15, 2007After picking students up from train stations in New York City, they traveled to Albany to begin training. The leadership of the initiative assembled a host of seminars that would prepare the students for meetings with NY politicians, community leaders, and constituents. [Link]

New York TimesJuly 13, 2007The quest to obtain a marriage license started when he joined a lawsuit against the state that reached the Court of Appeals, which deferred the question to the Legislature. He considers the Assembly debate and passage a historic first step. "And as it turned out, many of my straight colleagues in the Assembly support my right to be as miserable as possible. My ability to get a marriage license hurts nobody: Gay marriage is less harmful to straight people than Dick Cheney on a hunting trip." [Link]